(Narrator)
Bert and Gerard walked through the half deserted streets, lit only by dim lamplight. There was slight rain, to Gerard it seemed like it had been raining since the accident.
‘Can we sit?’ asked Gerard.
He saw a bench and sat, dry swallowing his third pill in that hour, before leaning forward with his head in his hands.
Bert either hadn’t noticed Gerard taking pills, or just ignored it.
‘Look, Gerard, you can talk to me, I kinda know what you’re going through. I will listen. I know we fell out ages ago, and admittedly I was a bit of a jerk, but right now, I’m here for you. ’
Bert put a reassuring hand on Gerard’s shoulder.

‘You?’ Gerard spat. ‘How do you have any idea on what I’m going through?’ Gerard leant back on the bench, tears forming in his eyes. He glared at Bert.
‘You didn’t know?’ Bert sighed. Gerard carried on staring at Bert. ‘Well back in 2004, my pregnant girlfriend died, she overdosed, and I lost both of them. I assumed you knew, but that’s why we fought, that’s why I refused to get sober with you, I wasn’t ready to start feeling again.’

Gerard looked shocked. ‘I-I never knew. If someone told I was probably too fucked at the time to take it in.’
‘Yeah, well it’s ok. The point is that I get that it hurts. It hurts so fucking much that you don’t want to feel anything. And I’m sorry you’re going through the worst of it now, but it will get better.’ Bert looked down and then out to the road. ‘Eventually...’

‘Do you know what Bert? Let’s just forget all this shit for one night. Let’s go out like we used to!’

(Gerard’s point of view)
This was the first time I had craved a alcohol in years. And fuck it, I was going to act on it, whether Bert wanted to join me or not. It’s not like anything really matters anyway. Life is so fragile. You might as well act on your impulses.
For the first time in what seemed like an age, I wasn’t afraid to drink. I’m not afraid of anything that brings Lindsey back home to me, even if that meant me joining her...
‘Uh I don’t know man, you sure you want to?’ his voice had turned sullen as soon as he mentioned his ex, which I don’t blame him for. I still can’t believe that I never knew about her... I was a terrible friend... The truth is I’m a terrible person, and it turns out that I’m stupid as well, for only just realising it. First the whole Frank thing, now this...

I stood up and took Bert’s hand, and dragged him up. ‘C’mon, it’ll be fun,’ I smiled, to try and make him believe in my words as much as I did.
I’m not afraid of falling anymore. The best part is the feeling that there is no one to catch me.